By Stephen Godonu-
All the 15 pending bye-elections in 11 States in Nigeria would be conducted on Saturday December 5 2020, the Independent National Electoral Commission has said.
The commission also appealed for the cooperation of voters and stakeholders in the states with pending bye-elections in its efforts to deliver credible elections under a safe environment.
INEC National Commissioner and chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye, made the announcement in a statement issued after its meeting which held in Abuja on Friday.
The meeting, among other things, reviewed the outcome of its quarterly engagements and consultations with critical stakeholders in the electoral process, and further reviewed the security situation and other challenges regarding the 15 pending bye-elections in 11 States.
Thepremiernews reported that following the #EndSARS nationwide protests, INEC had announced the indefinite postponement of the bye-elections in the six Senatorial Districts and nine State Constituencies.
The commission then said it would continue to monitor the situation in all the states and constituencies, consult with relevant stakeholders and meet again in two weeks to review the situation and decide on a feasible date for the elections.
The pending by-elections are Bayelsa Central Senatorial District; Bayelsa West Senatorial District; Nganzai and Bayo Constituencies in Borno State; Cross River North Senatorial District; Obudu Constituency in Cross River.
Others are Imo North Senatorial District; Lagos East Senatorial District; Kosofe II Constituency in Lagos State; Plateau South Senatorial District; Bakura Constituency in Zamfara; and Ibaji Constituency in Kogi.
The bye-elections in the federal and state legislative houses were due to the resignation or death of members in eight states of the federation.
He said, “The commission met again on Thursday, November 5 2020 and reviewed the situation. It noted among other things, the extensive damage to and vandalization of its local government offices and facilities, which affected some areas where the bye-elections are scheduled to hold.
“Based on these consultations, the commission believes that security in the affected States has improved while the environmental challenges have reasonably abated. Consequently, the commission has decided to hold all the pending bye-elections on Saturday December 5, 2020.
“The commission acknowledges the support, understanding and cooperation of political parties, the security agencies, the media civil society organizations and the general public as it considers the scheduling of the bye-elections and in its overall efforts to reposition the electoral process and give meaning and value to the votes of the people.
“We appeal to voters and stakeholders in the states with pending bye-elections to continue to cooperate with the commission in its efforts to deliver credible elections under a safe environment.”
